National Days of Service get FFA members involved in community

FF

November 02, 2012

INDIANAPOLIS - Hundreds of FFA members volunteered their time and skills Oct. 25 and 26 to help a host of Indianapolis-area organizations.

Each year during its annual National FFA Convention & Expo, the National FFA Organization stages its National Days of Service and encourages students to volunteer. The program is designed to educate FFA members about the importance of community service to both local communities and their own personal development.

The 10 organizations that FFA members volunteered for are:

&middot Agape Therapeutic Riding Center, which has an equestrian program for those who have disabling conditions or are at risk;

&middot Central Indiana Land Trust, which works with residents in the community to protect and restore important land including farm and timber lands;

&middot Damar Services, which provides residential and support services to more than 1,400 children and adults with developmental and behavioral challenges;

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&middot Gleaners Food Bank, which helps feed the hungry in 21 countries with more than 410 nonprofit organizations;

&middot Indy Parks, which maintains more than 200 city parks;

&middot Jameson Camp, which is a wellness camp that promotes healthy choices in nutrition and fitness for children affected by HIV/AIDS;

&middot Joy's House, which allows aging adults and those living with physical or mental challenges to participate in a social environment;

&middot Maplelawn Farmstead, which helps future generations understand why farming is important and experience the effect of heritage preservation in communities;

&middot Second Helpings, which accepts donated perishable and overstocked food to prepare nutritious meals for thousands of hungry children and adults every day; and

&middot St. Vincent De Paul-Pantry, which operates a food pantry program to assist community members in need.

The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to 557,318 student members in grades seven through 12 who belong to one of 7,498 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.